faq

Students (theses / projects)

How do I apply for a thesis/project?
Please start on /student_thesis/ and follow the checklist there (CV, transcript(s), a few-sentence motivation, planned start date; bachelor thesis PDF if applicable). Complete emails help us respond efficiently.

What background do you expect?
Most topics require solid programming (typically Python), basic ML/NLP fundamentals, and willingness to read papers and iterate on experiments. In exceptional cases (e.g., a structured literature survey), strong technical skills may be less critical — but motivation, reliable work habits, and clear writing still matter.

When will I hear back?
If your email is complete and the topic fits, I typically respond within a few working days. If you have a deadline, please state it clearly. If you have not heard back after 7 days, feel free to send a short follow-up — emails can occasionally get lost, and I receive many messages.

Can I propose my own topic?
Yes — proactive proposals are explicitly welcome and often lead to strong outcomes. Send a short (max. 1 page) sketch + your CV/transcript, and align it with /themes/ and /how-we-work/. Examples: /outcomes/.

Can a course project become a thesis / paper?
Yes. Strong course projects are a common starting point for thesis work and (if quality/novelty are sufficient) a joint publication. See /teaching/, /how-we-work/, and /outcomes/.

Remote / part-time theses — is that possible?
Often yes (supervision via Zoom can work well). Please be transparent about your availability and any planned off-time. A thesis typically requires a substantial ramp-up phase; realistic milestones matter. We mitigate uncertainty via supervision and an early exposé (see /how-we-work/).
Note: student assistant jobs usually require employment in Germany due to HR/payroll constraints.

Are students from other universities welcome?
In principle, yes (Germany and internationally). Please clarify formal requirements (examiner rules, registration, deadlines) with your home institution.

Can I use LLM tools (e.g., ChatGPT) while working on my thesis?
Often yes — but only within the rules of your course/program and with academic integrity. In practice:

• Keep the thesis fully under your responsibility (you are accountable for content and correctness).
• Add a short “Generative AI usage” section stating what tools you used for what (and what you did not use them for).
• If prompts were used substantially, include representative prompts/outputs in an appendix.
• Do not rely on LLMs for citations/references: author names, titles, DOIs, and links can be wrong — double-check everything. Undisclosed or prohibited use can be treated as academic misconduct and may lead to a failing grade and escalation to the exam committee.

Applicants (PhD / postdoc / research stays)

Do you have open positions?
Please see /vacancies/. In general, I am open to hiring strong candidates and to hosting visiting researchers (see /research_stays/).

How long does hiring typically take (HR / contract / visa)?
Please plan for several weeks for HR and contract processing. If a visa is needed, it can take longer. You can speed things up significantly by returning documents promptly and starting the process early.

What makes a strong application?
Clear fit to our themes and research topics, evidence of research execution (papers), and strong writing/communication. In addition, we value a research mindset: high motivation, curiosity, independent thinking, and proactive iteration (i.e., proposing and testing ideas rather than waiting for “the solution”). I typically ask applicants to submit a short proposal (1–2 pages) describing what they would like to work on.

What should a 1–2 page research sketch include?
Problem + why it matters, 3–5 related works, your proposed approach, an evaluation plan (baselines/metrics), and required data/resources. Use /themes/ and /datasets/ as anchors.

Can I visit for a research stay?
Yes, see /research_stays/. Please include timing, funding situation, and a short topic description.

Media / press

What topics can you comment on?
See /media/ (angles/topics, what to include in a request, press kit). Coverage examples: /media-mentions/.

Can you do quick quotes or written background?
Yes. Please say what you need (2–3 quotes vs. background memo vs. full interview), plus deadline and format. For urgent requests, calling is fine—see /contact/.

Where can I find recorded talks?
See /talks/.

Administrative questions

Forms, deadlines, exam registration, study-program rules?
These are typically the responsibility of the student. If needed, please contact the relevant Prüfungsamt (TU Dresden or your home university).

Who to contact for administrative requests (e.g., course organization, exam logistics, hiring paperwork)?
For requests to the secretary, please use the contact details on /contact/.

If your question is not covered here, please contact me via /contact/.